Menorca takes a step forward in coastal surveillance with the incorporation of a remotely operated underwater robot This will allow for more detailed inspections of the seabed and port infrastructure. The presentation took place at the port of Fornells and marks a reinforcement of underwater monitoring and maintenance tasks.
The device, a CHASING M2 PRO ROV, is ready to work in demanding dives, capturing high-resolution images and videos and sending the signal in real time to facilitate quick decisions on the ground. It can also operate up to 300 meters deep with great precision thanks to its USBL acoustic positioning.
The event was attended by the Minister of the Sea and the Water Cycle, Juan Manuel Lafuente, and the president of the Consell de Menorca, Adolfo Vilafranca, together with the Director General of Ports and Maritime Transport, Antoni Mercant, and the island director of the Biosphere Reserve, David Vidal, highlighting the institutional coordination of the project.
What the new ROV can do
The equipment has been designed to inspect in detail docks, dikes and pontoons, check the condition of anchor trains and buoys, and support underwater maintenance or installation work. It will also help detect irregular anchoring on posidonia meadows, a particularly sensitive spot due to its ecological value.
Beyond the range of 300 m, the ROV combines high-resolution video with live broadcast, which facilitates technical monitoring of maneuvers and immediate verification of incidents under the sea. Its USBL acoustic positioning system provides the maximum precision during dives.
Thanks to this technology, PortIB gains a tool capable of documenting the status of structures, supporting technical reports and speed up interventions when anomalies are detected, without the need for human immersion in complex scenarios.
A more coordinated coastal control system
The robot is integrated into the coastal surveillance device of Ports de les Illes Balears (PortsIB), which already has 22 boats, a team of inspectors with sanctioning powers, a drone operating ten hours a day and a new control center that centralizes services and communications with citizens.
With the sum of human and technological resources, the Government has a mechanism that allows a constant and efficient supervision coastal surveillance and a swift response to potential irregularities. Coordination between vessels, inspectors, drones, and underwater robots raises the bar for coastal control in the archipelago.
As explained by Councillor Lafuente, this model facilitates a continuous control of water use and improves the ability to act quickly when non-compliance is detected, promoting orderly and safe use of the marine environment.
Inspections in Fornells, charter and Posidonia
The tests carried out in Fornells are part of a calendar of daily performances on all islands, with special attention to anchorage control and charter activity. The new vessels destined for Menorca will also support the surveillance of the Posidonia, a key habitat for biodiversity and water quality.
Since June they have been raised 82 minutes due to possible irregularities in nautical activities throughout the archipelago. The breakdown by island shows 45 cases in Mallorca, 19 in Ibiza, 10 in Formentera, and 8 in Menorca.
Among the most common violations are: Expired or incorrectly submitted charter declarations of responsibility, omissions of mandatory information in contracts, and commercial practices that don't comply with the declared authorization. Media reinforcement aims to reduce these situations and improve browsing security.
With the support of the ROV, inspections can better document underwater findings and back up the files when non-standard anchoring or impacts on sensitive ecosystems are detected.
Institutional cooperation and environmental objectives
The president of the Consell de Menorca, Adolfo Vilafranca, highlighted the importance of protecting biodiversity and the island's status as a Biosphere ReserveThe island administration has requested that these resources be dedicated to the preservation of posidonia and the responsible management of the marine environment.
For his part, Lafuente stressed that the robot will be at the service of Ports de Balears to review the state of the facilities and support the inspection work of the Government, with two clear priorities: safety of people and the environmental careEnjoying water sports is compatible with compliance with regulations and coexistence with other activities during peak season.
The incorporation of the ROV represents a significant step in the modernization of coastal control: it provides more information, improves the traceability of inspections and optimizes decision making to preserve the coastline and regulate the uses of the sea in the Balearic Islands.
